Son Heung-Min

LAFC paid roughly $26.5 million to sign Son from Tottenham in August 2025, the most expensive incoming transfer in MLS history, a move he said was driven partly by wanting first-hand experience of North American travel and Mexico's altitude before the World Cup.

South Korea finished third in World Cup Group A behind co-hosts Mexico, losing 1-0 to South Africa in their finale — a result that eliminated them even before the day's other matches, as they also missed out on a spot among the best third-place teams.

Son's game is built on searing pace in behind and a lethal left foot, historically able to play as a wide forward or a central striker interchangeably — traits that made him one of the most feared counterattacking threats in the Premier League for a decade.

At 33, some of that explosiveness has faded, and South Korea's coaching staff visibly reduced his role as the World Cup progressed, a shift from his usual talisman status for the national team.

In a surprise call before the group-stage decider, head coach Hong Myung-bo left captain Son out of the must-win match against South Africa — the first time in four World Cups Son had not started a Korea group match.

Son called the group-stage exit 'indescribably' painful and apologised to fans, closing out his fourth and possibly final World Cup without a goal.